Medical doctors who specialize in the conditions of the skin, or dermatology, are called dermatologists. They treat all types of skin conditions and illnesses as well as perform spa treatments, laser therapy, and other therapies to give their patients a total skincare routine. In addition to skin issues, dermatologists are able to also deal with skin-related items like hair and nails. They are able to diagnose acute, or short-term, skin conditions as well as chronic, or long-term, skin ailments. Some of the conditions they treat include acne, rosacea, and skin cancer. Some of the cosmetic procedures that they do include fine-line filling, using a laser on discoloration, and collagen implants. What Does A Dermatologist Do? A specialty in dermatology also gives them the ability to make medical decisions as well as treat via surgical options as well. Some treatments they may do include Botox cosmetic injections, skin cancer removals, laser surgery, liposuction, sclerotherapy, and biopsies. While a doctor of dermatology treats and diagnose skin conditions, there is a typical process that most patients go through while there. The doctor, at first, takes a complete medical history. This will include the symptoms you are having, how long you have had them, your pain, what treatments you have tried, and any other item that they deem to be critical to diagnosing your condition. After the medical history is done, then they will move on to the physical exam. With the physical exam, they will go over your skin, perhaps even the skin that you are not having an issue with, to check for rashes, lesions, and other items. They will do this under bright light and may do so over the entire body, depending on your answers to the medical history. After the oral history and the body exam, then it will be time to go through diagnostic testing, or analysis. They may take a biopsy, scrapings, or other type of culture to check for infection, pathogens, or other abnormalities. Depending on their findings, they will begin a treatment plan. Diagnosis of any skin ailment always goes through the same stages: *Medical history *Physical exam *Diagnostic testing and analysis *Treatment What It Takes To Be A Dermatologist They have to begin at the high school level, taking proper classes and getting the right grades to pave their way to medical school. To ensure their education is fully complete to study dermatology after high school it is advised that they graduate with a 3.0 GPA, or grade point average. Focusing on science and health classes is a plus. They will then need to enroll in a four-year college or university. They study a pre-med program that focuses on biology as the key course concentration. After completion of the first three years of university, they take the MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test. It is with these test results that they tehn start applying to medical schools in their senior college or university year. After admission into medical school, they take various classes in all specialties of medicine, including general medicine, surgery, neurology, and psychiatry. Upon completion of the four years of medical school, they are a resident Medical Doctor and able to practice medicine. As a resident, they need to find a hospital that will allow tehm to serve out their residency and complete their training while at the hospital and out of the classroom. For dermatology specialists, they need to get into a residency program in this medical area, and spend five years studying the skin and its relation to health. After thei residency, they take exams to be certified by both the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and the American Board of Dermatology. Expertise that is critical to a well-educated skin specialist includes: *Microbiology *Biochemistry *Pathology *Physiology *Physics *Skin conditions *Skin symptoms *Neurology *Endocrinology *Basic surgical treatments Workplace These specialists work in many medical settings. They can work out of their own office, in private practice, or be part of a hospital setting. Many clinics use the services of dermatology physicians and they can be employed in high-end spas. In addition to private practice and hospitals, a specialist in skincare also is able to be in research labs doing clinical trials. This helps put new and exciting treatments on the market. They are able to teach, to bring their knowledge to others. They may also choose to act as a consultant, observing and giving insight on cases as needed. Wherever they are, skin care specialists are able to lend a helping, and most needed, hand. Typical working environments for a doctor of dermatology include: *The classroom *Private practice *Hospitals *Spas *Research labs *Clinics Salary According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a dermatologist and other physicians in general earn about $80.00 an hour or approximately $166,400 a year. The job outlook for the 2010 to 2020 year span is about 24 percent, which is faster than the average rate of rise. There is a high need for this type of doctor, as there are nearly three billion people in over 100 countries who need skin disease diagnosis, treatment, and care. Source
